View Full Version : want an opinion on a possible new addition
arcadiareptiles
09-29-2007, 01:51 AM
hey guys. so i believe in following my instincts and when i red about this little tiel on kijiji something told me to message her about him. now the woman was very honest and told me about him in email and on phone. here's some of my corespondence.
"Good morning Camille,
I got Chiko purposefully to breed with my female. Even though he's 5 1/2 and mature, he does not want her so I kept him for about 6 months to understand his personality (which I do).
I already chose a pet bird that I raised (one of the babies from my breeding birds). So with Chiko, he's happy having all his own attention. He needs a one on one attention. He'll sing with you, take a bath in your sink and loves having breakfast with you at the table though he doesn't have any table manners :) Even when I'm typing, he'll sit on my wrist the whole time.
Those are the positive sides of Chiko. The negative side of him is he only wants one owner and he will bite other people when they get near him and he'll squawke loudly when he feels he's not getting enough attention. I don't have the time to give him the attention that he needs to be perfectly happy and content.
The cage is a round cylinder sort of like an oversized pop can and it is:
Width: 17"
Height:36"
The cage also sits on a stand which is 13" tall and there are some toys that come with it. I've attached 2 pictures so you can see what he looks like."
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w183/ArcadiaReptiles/examples%20for%20forums/grapesandChiko006.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w183/ArcadiaReptiles/examples%20for%20forums/grapesandChiko007.jpg
Now keeping in mind that im a beginner to birds and everything but still the kind of person who is devoted to my animals and willing to learn everything i can. how would he do for a beginner bird? and also what should i be aware of before getting him. also what could be exercises to get him to accept not only me but my boyfriend of vice versa depending who he bonds with. and also tips on getting them to bond with you. and also ive been trying to find some good pages on tiel info but havent found many.
SummerJ
09-29-2007, 02:52 PM
Generally speaking a tiel is usually a good beginner bird. They are not loud and if they do bite, it is pretty mild (in comparison to a cockatoo!). We have a tiel, Simon, who my husband brought from a breeder. He is really good natured and is easy to care for. He loves to be around people.
I would think Chiko would definately be a bird to consider if you are wanting to get a bird. I would not assume that just because he only likes the current owner, that he would necessairly be the same for you and Al. You just don't know the history there. He may have not had much interaction with others and therefore was not at ease with them. Someone there might have scared him, who knows. If you get him, both you and Al should spend time handling him so he is used to both of you. When you first bring him home, you have to let him call the shots and let you know when he is ready for interaction. The first few days he might just want to sit in his cage and get used to his new surroundings. Both of you should talk to him, but don't make direct eye contact while he is getting used to things.
If it were me, I would think about a larger cage. With their long tails, 17" doesn't give them much room to move around. Simons cage is ~23-24" wide. From the pictures he looks healthy and in good feather.
Good luck!
Janet
Chiko looks adorable. Cockatiels are a good beginner or anytime bird in my opinion. They usually pick a favorite person however, like many parrots they can often learn to like and trust more then that person if properly socialized and interacted with. That trust is usually built on their time schedule. Just don't give up.
I would also plan on a larger cage once he settles in and feels comfortable with his new family and his his new surroundings.
This is a good link that offers a lot of cockatiel information.
http://www.cockatielcottage.net/newbirds.html
arcadiareptiles
09-29-2007, 05:34 PM
thanks guys. i just need to find a drive to go visit him before making my decision :)
Ellen K. Cook, DVM
09-29-2007, 08:11 PM
'Tiels are perfect birds for anyone, anytime :thumbup: I dearly love my cockatoos (they are my babies), but I love my little guy, Lucas, just as much :heart: I am absolutely besotted with him, he has all the personality of a "big bird".
I recommend 'tiels hands-down for anyone looking for a companion bird. They can be loud (if you haven't heard a cockatoo like Merlin, that is :funny: ) and they can bite hard enough to draw blood and tears, if they want. But they can be taught with positive reinforcement, just like any bird.
Lucas was 3-4 os. old when he came to live with us in June; he was parent-raised and not tame at all. within 2 weeks, he was stepping right up and now we cuddle every night....in fact, it's almost that time now :wub:
We took in a 'tiel, had him for about a year and he went to a new home with his girlfriend. He was great! I still miss that little guy.:( I too think they are great birds for anyone, anytime.
I learned a lot about myself while I had him. He was hand shy and pretty much wild. He could fly but not well and didn't fly to avoid something unless it was real bad. Being small, I caught myself pushing him. I knew better, just didn't do better. I didn't do it with the big guys that would fly off or bite the snot out of ya'. Once I saw I was pushing him (he wasn't making up to me) I re-grouped and we got along just fine. He was a fast learner and seemed to really enjoy it.
We became best buddies and he learned to really fly in the house. I swear he was like a little kid flying around having his freedom. Like Dr C, I love my macaws, but if I didn't have them or had more time I'd get a 'tiel.
Here are some pics of my forever buddy, Angel.
SummerJ
09-30-2007, 03:02 PM
Jim, He is really cute! I like the yellow tiels. Simon is a pearl and looks like Chiko. I had to laugh when I saw him in the popcorn bowl. Simon loves his popcorn! When my husband starts making it Simon smells it and starts calling out so we don't forget him!! If we forget him, then he comes to find it. I think I have a picture of him somewhere standing in the popcorn bowl. He snuck in there when we turned our backs. :rotflmao:
Janet
arcadiareptiles
09-30-2007, 03:11 PM
Jim, He is really cute! I like the yellow tiels. Simon is a pearl and looks like Chiko. I had to laugh when I saw him in the popcorn bowl. Simon loves his popcorn! When my husband starts making it Simon smells it and starts calling out so we don't forget him!! If we forget him, then he comes to find it. I think I have a picture of him somewhere standing in the popcorn bowl. He snuck in there when we turned our backs. :rotflmao:
Janet
I just contacted her letting her know my feelings about chiko and how the more i think about it, the more im interested in taking him on. hopefully she considers me as a new mommy for him. She is a really good birdy mom and a real sweetheart. she is really interested in giving him a perfect home and even when i explained my position with isabella being sick so i had to take care of her before anything else. she pretty much said that she was impressed with my love of my animals(We talked for hours lol) and would keep him for me if i was really interested in giving him a good home.
Thanks Janet. I thought he was just about it. It's funny, he was just like Simon about the popcorn. He was so cute when we were eating. The big guys just fly over and take what they want.:eek: He was a little more shy, he'd land on me, the chair or table and instead of taking - he'd preach me a sermon.:funny: Of course he got a taste.:)
Hope things work out for you, Camille. I can see you're a good critter keeper:D and would give Chiko a good home. Tiels are cool little guys.
arcadiareptiles
09-30-2007, 05:34 PM
Hope things work out for you, Camille. I can see you're a good critter keeper:D and would give Chiko a good home. Tiels are cool little guys.
hopefully ^.^. thanks guys. Im in no rush lord knows i have enough animals to occupy myself.
Molzy7687
09-30-2007, 06:41 PM
Haven't posted in awhile, but I need to put my vote in for the cockatiels!
I've wanted a bird for like 5 years, but my parents wouldn't let me get one (thank God, or I'd have a goffins cockatoo right now!). I swore I would never have a cockatiel, because there are so many more interesting birds with more personality.
Well, two years ago I took home Sweety, a year old lutino female cockatiel to 'foster' until I could find her a good home. Within 24hrs I knew she wasn't going anywhere. She has all the personality of a macaw or a cockatoo in a little 95 gram body. When she's upset-you know it! They are quieter than practically any other bird, but Sweety has a certain scream that will drive me crazy, and she knows it! I live in an apartment, so I have to be careful about noise, and I think a tiel is probably the best choice for that. Haven't had any complaints yet (been a month), but I try to keep her occupied and such. I can hear her sometimes down the hallway if she hears my voice when I'm coming home.
Anyways, needless to say, the tiels have won me over. Eventually I'll get another bird (or two or three), but Sweety will always be the 'close-to-perfect' parrot. I think a lot of people think of tiels as 'beginner birds', but I would also add, if you want a large bird, there is no reason to get a small bird first. It seems that a lot of people build up to their large bird, and end up with more birds than they can properly care for. Personally, I've come to realize that I'd rather only have 2 or 3 birds, so that I can spend more one on one time with each of them. We'll see if I manage to pull that off though, because I do fall in love with a lot of birds!
Good luck!
Shirley
09-30-2007, 08:38 PM
...I think a lot of people think of tiels as 'beginner birds', but I would also add, if you want a large bird, there is no reason to get a small bird first. It seems that a lot of people build up to their large bird, and end up with more birds than they can properly care for. Personally, I've come to realize that I'd rather only have 2 or 3 birds, so that I can spend more one on one time with each of them....
VERY good point! I don't like to think of any bird as a "beginner" bird, (or a "throw-away" bird) ... and like Molly said, you end up with too many birds by the time you get that African Grey or Macaw or whatever you always wanted... unlike reptiles, you can't just collect them and give them good nutrition and habitat. They need so much more - especially, your time. I say this for the benefit of all the non-members who stop by and read... not meant to be directed at you, Camille, -- you are a wonderful animal care-taker and lover -- but... a tiel is awesome and has all the love and personality one could hope for.
arcadiareptiles
09-30-2007, 08:45 PM
VERY good point! I don't like to think of any bird as a "beginner" bird, (or a "throw-away" bird) ... and like Molly said, you end up with too many birds by the time you get that African Grey or Macaw or whatever you always wanted... unlike reptiles, you can't just collect them and give them good nutrition and habitat. They need so much more - especially, your time. I say this for the benefit of all the non-members who stop by and read... not meant to be directed at you, Camille, -- you are a wonderful animal care-taker and lover -- but... a tiel is awesome and has all the love and personality one could hope for.
Deffinetly. i use the word beginner bird lightly. i love cornsnakes. their thought to be the best beginner snake. though i DID work myself up to bigger snakes. i remain a lover of corns and their the ones i breed. I do want an african grey one day but thing is im not working my way up to one. i just dont have a house that can accomodate a potentially loud bird at the moment so i want a smaller bird that makes a bit less noise. he can screech all he wants but he still cant make enough noise to bother the neighbors lol.
*edit*
we can stomp around like crazy and they wont hear us but i still wouldnt want to risk it with a large and loud parrot. it would break my heart to have to get rid of it just because it bothered the neighbors
Budgie
09-30-2007, 09:21 PM
I love my 'teil...
At first I really didnt want teils after seeing some of the more untame ones and they werent as bright as some of the other birds with blues and reds and oranges and greens. Then I was in an adverage pet store getting fish food for my reeftank and I decided to go and see if the Greencheek was friendly...
he wasnt.
And a lovely cockatiel came right up to me.. but he was sold. I came back a few days later and put my hand in and Elvis came right up to me.. onto my shoulder.. and I left with him on my shoulder....
I thinkg 'tiels are great birds!
Here's Elvis climbing:
http://i21.tinypic.com/21eqi6h.jpg
and him yelling at me :)
http://i23.tinypic.com/2uo78z6.jpg
arcadiareptiles
09-30-2007, 09:25 PM
and him yelling at me :)
http://i23.tinypic.com/2uo78z6.jpg
hahaha thats TOO cute. what kind of camera do you use. that is a REALLY clear picture
Budgie
09-30-2007, 09:35 PM
haha thanks!
I am using a Nikon D80..
but I dont really know what im doing with it
If I did that picture would look 10x better!
I need to get like Camera lessons or something
arcadiareptiles
09-30-2007, 09:38 PM
haha thanks!
I am using a Nikon D80..
but I dont really know what im doing with it
If I did that picture would look 10x better!
I need to get like Camera lessons or something
deffinetly. a camera is only good as its camera man. my camera is the worst possibly camera pixel wise lol. I want to invest in a nikon eventually. or another kind of digital SLR.
Shirley
09-30-2007, 10:09 PM
The D80 is an awesome camera, Josh! And your pics are great!
By the way, we have two Congo African Greys. Neither are ever loud... ever. Skyler, our Rose-breasted cockatoo isn't loud either. Our Senegal has an ear-piercing shriek that younger people cringe when they hear... I hear it, but Troy HEARS it, as do others his age.... 20-somethings.
arcadiareptiles
09-30-2007, 10:53 PM
The D80 is an awesome camera, Josh! And your pics are great!
By the way, we have two Congo African Greys. Neither are ever loud... ever. Skyler, our Rose-breasted cockatoo isn't loud either. Our Senegal has an ear-piercing shriek that younger people cringe when they hear... I hear it, but Troy HEARS it, as do others his age.... 20-somethings.
ive heard that about senegals and i think Conurs(maybe?)
Shirley
09-30-2007, 11:47 PM
Conures are, imo, the worst. I've heard them just scream and scream. Play-Doh doesn't do that. He shrieks a few times when Steve arrives home and when he leaves. And sometimes he'll shriek a couple of times at dinnertime. Mostly, he's quiet.
We had a Nanday Conure that passed away before we adopted Elvie. So many complain about Nandays being so noisy. They can make a loud shrieking noise if they want to.. Well, ours was very quiet and rarely made much noise at all. She would mutter/chatter and ask what? and say her name Bart. She was a happy fun bird. We could not of asked for a better conure.
The same goes for my umbrella cockatoo Elvie. He rarely hollers and talks a lot. Again they can pierce your ear drums if they want to.
arcadiareptiles
10-01-2007, 12:53 AM
We had a Nanday Conure that passed away before we adopted Elvie. So many complain about Nandays being so noisy. They can make a loud shrieking noise if they want to.. Well, ours was very quiet and rarely made much noise at all. She would mutter/chatter and ask what? and say her name Bart. She was a happy fun bird. We could not of asked for a better conure.
The same goes for my umbrella cockatoo Elvie. He rarely hollers and talks a lot. Again they can pierce your ear drums if they want to.
completely off topic but i love your website. i cried reading some of it and laughed at others. your photography is amazing.
Nice photos, Josh. I've been thinking about the D80, I need a new camera.
Elvis is too cute. Yelling at you.:) Our tiel did the same thing, it always made me laugh. Little buggers sure have personality don't they.
My boys don't scream or get loud either. They can and do, for a few seconds, if they see or hear something that upsets them.
tropiclegirl
10-01-2007, 11:42 AM
Tiels are awsome birds. They can get noisy and demanding if you spoil them But then so do all birds. I think its how you raise them to a certain degree. Just dont go over board with too much attention ALL the time because then they ALWAYS expect it. Set times for play time, cuddle time etc.
My mom made this mistake with her two ( we didnt know a thing about birds at the time when we got them 16 yrs ago)...... We gave them attention all the time, always on us, with us etc. Then when we were busy or couldnt give them attention they would scream. So my mom would give them a treat to quiet them and keep them occupied for the time being or give them attention . YUP! Everytime they sqwauked my mom was rewarding them :doh:.
Marlon does'nt sqwauk or screetch but he can get loud if he is beeping like our oven , ringing like the telephone or trying to imitate a bird outside :funny:. He is more of a chatter, talking, whistling, beeping, clicking, clucking, barking, meowing etc lol.
Shirley
10-01-2007, 01:05 PM
Jim -- you'll be extremely pleased with the Nikon D80. It has the same chip as the D200, I believe, just a few less features which most would never need or use. Excellent choice!
completely off topic but i love your website. i cried reading some of it and laughed at others. your photography is amazing.
:thanx: I'm so glad you enjoyed Elvie's website. :highfive:
Ellen K. Cook, DVM
10-01-2007, 08:58 PM
Excuse me, but I had to chime in on this noise thing :p For really ear-deafening shrieking, nothing beats a Moluccan cockatoo! Ray, my husband, came home a couple of weeks ago and told me that he had 20% hearing loss on a hearing test they gave him at work. We are both convinced it is from Merlin :agree:
Conures, senegals, whatever fall into the annoying, but not ears-bleeding category . As I always say, it is all in your perspective :roflmao2:
Shirley
10-01-2007, 09:29 PM
I still think Shelby's louder than Merlin... especially when she cuts loose with her beak 1/8" inch from your ear... :agree: I believe I've actually felt her hot breath in my ear as she emits her screeching greetings.
arcadiareptiles
10-02-2007, 04:50 PM
lol we watched this pet parrot special on national geographic and these people had a bird sanctuary in their appartment and i dont know if i could stand being in there 24/7 lol. they were screeching non stop. lol!! i could deffinetly distinguish the cockatoos and macaws etc.
Excuse me, but I had to chime in on this noise thing :p For really ear-deafening shrieking, nothing beats a Moluccan cockatoo! Ray, my husband, came home a couple of weeks ago and told me that he had 20% hearing loss on a hearing test they gave him at work. We are both convinced it is from Merlin :agree:
Conures, senegals, whatever fall into the annoying, but not ears-bleeding category . As I always say, it is all in your perspective :roflmao2:
:scratchch Maybe, we should invent a more appropriate ear plug that turns their ear piercing screams into orchestra music.....:rofl:
SummerJ
10-02-2007, 08:08 PM
That would be a great idea Jean...that is if we could hear it!!:rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Janet
That would be a great idea Jean...that is if we could hear it!!:rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Janet
You tickle me! :rofl::rofl:
Hi Camille,
Tiels are an excellent first time bird,not as demanding as the large Toos but thay can be just as cuddly and love attention. They can have lovely personalities.
Ollie is 18 years old and lived with us since a baby, he is definately not a 1 person bird, he loves/cuddles with us both. He also is definately NOT shy and will go to anyone.
By contrast, before Ollie we had a Lutino female, gorgeous like the one Jim had, she unfortunately died aged 7 but she was totally Dave's bird, she adored him and tolerated everyone else. She would sit on me but cuddles were out whereas she would cuddle with Dave for hours and followed him everywhere.
They can have such different personalities just like people.
As someone said, just because he is her one person bird doesn't mean it will be the same with you.
Could you maybe visit a few times to see how he responds to you?
Good Luck:wub:
arcadiareptiles
10-03-2007, 11:20 AM
Hi Camille,
Tiels are an excellent first time bird,not as demanding as the large Toos but thay can be just as cuddly and love attention. They can have lovely personalities.
Ollie is 18 years old and lived with us since a baby, he is definately not a 1 person bird, he loves/cuddles with us both. He also is definately NOT shy and will go to anyone.
By contrast, before Ollie we had a Lutino female, gorgeous like the one Jim had, she unfortunately died aged 7 but she was totally Dave's bird, she adored him and tolerated everyone else. She would sit on me but cuddles were out whereas she would cuddle with Dave for hours and followed him everywhere.
They can have such different personalities just like people.
As someone said, just because he is her one person bird doesn't mean it will be the same with you.
Could you maybe visit a few times to see how he responds to you?
Good Luck:wub:
I want to be able to have a couple of visits(ADLEAST one) but we dont own a car and shes just outside of the city wich is making it a bit hard
Shirley
10-03-2007, 01:20 PM
Perhaps if they are serious about getting the 'tiel in a good home such as yours, they would be willing to either bring the bird for you to meet, or bring you to their house for a visit. :agree:
arcadiareptiles
10-03-2007, 05:18 PM
Perhaps if they are serious about getting the 'tiel in a good home such as yours, they would be willing to either bring the bird for you to meet, or bring you to their house for a visit. :agree:
yeah we were going to do that but the only day she could come pick me up was a day i was working. but ill work something out soon enough to go see him :). things are hectic both with her and me right now and were both not in a huge rush. were taking things slow, me doing my research, her getting to know me and letting me know about chiko and his temperament and habits etc.
arcadiareptiles
10-06-2007, 12:49 AM
So ill be going to visit Chiko sunday and we'll see what goes on afterwards ^.^
So ill be going to visit Chiko sunday and we'll see what goes on afterwards ^.^
I'm excited for you. :emot-danc :)
arcadiareptiles
10-07-2007, 03:47 PM
so i bit the dust. she showed me chiko and some of her babys that were for sale and it was no competition. though Chiko is more nippy i love his character. he was fine. he had a meal with me and everything. she said she'd never seen him take to strangers like he did to me. and he was good with Al as well only nipped him a bit. he whistles jingle bell, whistles to say your pretty and says hi chiko and be a good bird.
Im gonna start a new thread to post pics of him with me :)
Excuse me, but I had to chime in on this noise thing :p For really ear-deafening shrieking, nothing beats a Moluccan cockatoo! Ray, my husband, came home a couple of weeks ago and told me that he had 20% hearing loss on a hearing test they gave him at work. We are both convinced it is from Merlin :agree:
Conures, senegals, whatever fall into the annoying, but not ears-bleeding category . As I always say, it is all in your perspective :roflmao2:
Moluccans have to be the loudest, Ellen, Dave too has hearing loss, I never thought it was down to Toto but who knows?
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